Praise the Lord!
In a recent speech at Jamaica’s Greater Allen Cathedral, Mayor Zoran Mamdani seemed to sidestep the contentious issue of a potential 9.5% property tax increase, leading many to speculate he might be reconsidering this unpopular proposal.
During his remarks on Palm Sunday, the Democratic Socialist mayor spoke to a congregation predominantly made up of Black homeowners, sharing his intention to temporarily halt the sale of tax liens for at least six months. “Costs are going up,” he stated during his seven-minute address. “In the past several decades, 200,000 Black New Yorkers have been pushed out of the city, finding it increasingly difficult to live with dignity here.”
He highlighted his background as a foreclosure prevention counselor before entering politics, mentioning his experiences supporting struggling homeowners in areas like Liberty Avenue in Richmond Hill, which isn’t far from the church.
“This congregation has shown the entire city that home ownership is achievable, even for those who have faced eviction,” Mamdani remarked.
He spoke about his plan to prevent the sale of homeowner property tax and water bill bonds but did not address the controversial idea of increasing property taxes to cover the $5.4 billion deficit in the city’s $127 billion budget. Mamdani has previously threatened a 9.5% property tax hike unless higher income taxes on the wealthy are approved by Governor Kathy Hochul and the state Legislature.
His warnings have stirred anger among homeowners in predominantly Black neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens, with some residents and local officials, including City Council President Julie Menin, expressing discontent with his approach.
Notable figures from Queens, like Congressman Gregory Meeks and Borough President Donovan Richards, attended the service and praised Mamdani’s comments. Richards remarked, “It seems the debate around raising property taxes might be coming to an end. He has conveyed a powerful message about what homeownership signifies for generational wealth. We have middle-class homeowners and public servants in southeast Queens facing serious inflation.”
When questioned about whether Mayor Mamdani has abandoned his tax increase plans, Mayoral Spokesperson Dora Pekek responded:
“The Mamdani Administration is dedicated to safeguarding our city’s homeowners. The Mayor has proudly declared a moratorium on private tax lien sales to shield homeowners from predatory practices.”
However, Mamdani is still advocating for various tax hikes on wealthier residents to bridge the budget gap before the new fiscal year starts on July 1. These proposals include income, corporate, and inheritance taxes—often referred to dismissively as “death taxes.” Yet, it’s important to note that these tax adjustments require approval from Governor Hochul and the state Legislature. Hochul, amid her re-election campaign for a second term this fall, has already ruled out increasing taxes on the wealthy.
